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more kicks than halfpence
01
a situation in which a person is subjected to more trouble instead of a positive outcome
Dialect
British
British
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "more kicks than halfpence" and when to use it?
The idiom "more kicks than halfpence" originated in the United Kingdom and refers to someone who has experienced a disproportionate amount of mistreatment, abuse, or misfortune. The term "halfpence" refers to a former British coin, which has become obsolete. The idiom implies that an individual has faced numerous hardships or setbacks, exceeding what would be considered a fair or reasonable share of difficulties.
Examples
The freelance job turned out to be more kicks than halfpence.
